stevie boy
Registered user
Hi there thinking of heading down to northern italy in july. anybody got any advice for must see and do;s
italy trip
- Thread starter stevie boy
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Lake Garda (malcesine is lovely), Lake Como, the Moto Guzzi museum at Mandello de Lario on Lake Lecco, the Stelvio pass, Verona , Venice. There's a start.
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The passes and the Dolomites are a must see. We've been down a few times from Aberdeen and I can't recomend them enough
Oh and Grappa, drink as much as you can, it settles yur stomach
Deffo do Verona, it is a beautiful city with loads of history, and you will also be there for the outdoor opera season held in the Roman ampitheatre. Treat yourself and go and experience a marvelous cultural experience sat on he same seats as Roman citizens did 2000 years ago for slightly more bloodthirsty entertainment. Whether you are into opera or not you will enjoy it hugely, the music, the setting, the atmosphere and the spectacle is amazing. 
Make sure you hire a cushion by the way as the solid stone seats can be a bit hard on the botty.
Make sure you hire a cushion by the way as the solid stone seats can be a bit hard on the botty.
aye must see the stop sighn at the border
must do turn round n go t other way the feckers are mad drivers!!!!!!
recently there, i was getting a shift on along a bit of autostrada 100+
i looked in the mirror n near sh@t myself there was a motor that close i thought the heid lights wid melt the plastic on the top box SERIOUSLY scary moment!!!!!! mind you,every time i leave italy i say i wont be back but its very bonnie (bit round the top of lake orta !!!!! never seen water as blue n clean!!! the ride up the stelvio is a classic (need a head for heights) n its fairly technical but well worth it Very bike friendly but ye need tae keep your wits about you
must do turn round n go t other way the feckers are mad drivers!!!!!!
recently there, i was getting a shift on along a bit of autostrada 100+
i looked in the mirror n near sh@t myself there was a motor that close i thought the heid lights wid melt the plastic on the top box SERIOUSLY scary moment!!!!!! mind you,every time i leave italy i say i wont be back but its very bonnie (bit round the top of lake orta !!!!! never seen water as blue n clean!!! the ride up the stelvio is a classic (need a head for heights) n its fairly technical but well worth it Very bike friendly but ye need tae keep your wits about you
mountain passes
Have done most of these myself.
http://www.alpineroads.com/dolomites.php
I like to stay in or around Cortina.
Never been disapointed over the last 20 years, you will have fun.
Have done most of these myself.
http://www.alpineroads.com/dolomites.php
I like to stay in or around Cortina.
Never been disapointed over the last 20 years, you will have fun.
I like Lake Garda & Malcesine too. It will be very hot in Lake Garda in July: splash out on a hotel with air-conditioning. The mountains to the north of Rvia del Garda are great, around Molveno & Madonna di Campiglio.
The journey there would be great too. Perhaps ride down through Interlaken and do some of the high Swiss passes or ride down to Lake Constance and take the route through Austria over the Timmelsjoch.
billynomates
Registered user
Hi
You need to read this.
Motorcycle Journeys Through The Alps and Beyond
by John Herman isbn 978-1-884313-70-7 from amazon or play.com.
I used it last year to visit Lake Annecy area and Lake Como and Maggiore.
Theres a lovely route from Lake Annecy in the book page 87 it hasnt got the steep alpine passes but its beautiful scenery and totaly empty of traffic.
It was recommended by others on this site and its full of motorcycling nirvanas so many in fact you could spend the next 10 years out there.
You might find July rather Hot we went in late May and it was 37c in Lake Annecy and 36c on the Shores of Lake Como.
Although the Petit St Bernard did not open till June on our way back.
Ian
You need to read this.
Motorcycle Journeys Through The Alps and Beyond
by John Herman isbn 978-1-884313-70-7 from amazon or play.com.
I used it last year to visit Lake Annecy area and Lake Como and Maggiore.
Theres a lovely route from Lake Annecy in the book page 87 it hasnt got the steep alpine passes but its beautiful scenery and totaly empty of traffic.
It was recommended by others on this site and its full of motorcycling nirvanas so many in fact you could spend the next 10 years out there.
You might find July rather Hot we went in late May and it was 37c in Lake Annecy and 36c on the Shores of Lake Como.
Although the Petit St Bernard did not open till June on our way back.
Ian
MMmmmm
The Alpine passes were amazing..... dropping in and out of Italy.
The Lakes, Garda, Como, Maggario..... each one had it's own defining features.... they were like Victorian versions of, Italian Chic....
That's what I did for my 40th... hired a bike in Barcelona and visited Italy....
For me, the best part of the holiday???
I had planned to take my Arai RX7 helmet and black visor....... but at the eleventh hour opted for a cheapie Caberg flip front helmet with drop down shades...... had I have thrown it in the bin on leaving the country, I would have got my money's worth, ten times over. The sun in Italy requires you to have a dark visor...... but the tunnels are often several miles long..... you can't leave visor open, just too long... and can't have a black visor..... just too dark for several miles.... the best option is a set of drop down shades... Caberg, Schubert or BMW System6.....
just my drunken observation...........
The Alpine passes were amazing..... dropping in and out of Italy.
The Lakes, Garda, Como, Maggario..... each one had it's own defining features.... they were like Victorian versions of, Italian Chic....
That's what I did for my 40th... hired a bike in Barcelona and visited Italy....
For me, the best part of the holiday???
I had planned to take my Arai RX7 helmet and black visor....... but at the eleventh hour opted for a cheapie Caberg flip front helmet with drop down shades...... had I have thrown it in the bin on leaving the country, I would have got my money's worth, ten times over. The sun in Italy requires you to have a dark visor...... but the tunnels are often several miles long..... you can't leave visor open, just too long... and can't have a black visor..... just too dark for several miles.... the best option is a set of drop down shades... Caberg, Schubert or BMW System6.....
just my drunken observation...........
Dolomites are superb, use the Timmelsjoch into Italy
stay here
http://www.gasthofoberwirt.com/
food and accommodation excellent and all the passes are there to be ridden
Teejay
stay here
http://www.gasthofoberwirt.com/
food and accommodation excellent and all the passes are there to be ridden
Teejay
Well
whatever you do, don't go down the amalfie, it's shite.
whatever you do, don't go down the amalfie, it's shite.
Rubbish.
Naples, Sorrento & Amalfi are lovely.
Not somewhere to head for on a bike in July though. It was plenty warm enough in January for me!
Lovere on Lake Iseo is a lovely wee town to visit. Small, friendly and with some great restuarants etc.
Fitzy
Registered user
Must sees for bikers
Yes go to the Moto Guzzi factory at Mandello del Lario on the shore of Lake Como, the museum opens for 1 hour only in the afternoon but it's really worth seeing while you still can. There are rumours that Piaggio the parent company will be closing this some time soon.
Then head down the Autostrada to Sant Agata, Maranallo and Bologna to see Lambos, Ferraris and Ducatis in that order. Oh and take in Munich en-route to Italy and visit the fabulous BMW Museum too.
Have fun!
Yes go to the Moto Guzzi factory at Mandello del Lario on the shore of Lake Como, the museum opens for 1 hour only in the afternoon but it's really worth seeing while you still can. There are rumours that Piaggio the parent company will be closing this some time soon.
Then head down the Autostrada to Sant Agata, Maranallo and Bologna to see Lambos, Ferraris and Ducatis in that order. Oh and take in Munich en-route to Italy and visit the fabulous BMW Museum too.
Have fun!
stevie boy
Registered user
Cheers for the info guys will visit as many as i can , cant wait till July
I have the previous edition "Motorcycle Journeys Through The Alps and Corsica" and it is indeed a very useful book. Skye and I went to Switzerland, Austria and Italy in 2005 by car (Fiat Punto) and had a great time. My favourite was the Stelvio Pass.
We are planning on going back in July and will revisit many of the routes mentioned in the book. The plan is to go on the bike and Skye seems ok with this. However will have to balance the itinerary so that we both enjoy the trip. To be honest if she can get to a swimming pool at some time each day then she will be happy.
Might try and head off as soon as the school holidays start and head to Garmisch Partenkirchen in southern Germany for the BMW Motorrad Days biker rally on the first weekend in July. We stayed not too far from there last time in Lermoos across the border in Austria (great village swimming pool). Then head down to Italy and then back up and into Switzerland, heading across to Geneva where we are planning to catch up with friends for a few days. I beleive he now has a GS so that would be great. They live up in the mountains overlooking Lake Geneva on a brilliant road which is like a mini Stelvio. He and his girlfreind were killing themselves laughing at the noise of my tyres following them down this road when we were last there. He was in a Lotus Elise so his road holding was miles better than mine, but I reckon I had more fun in the Punto. Will be great on the GS, can't wait
deerhunter
Guest
Been down that way a few times now. Got as far as Rome 2 up on a CBR600 in 2000, nipped into see Rossi and co on the way( pretty sure thats June though). Anyway wouldn,t bother going any further south than lake Garda, gets pretty hectic traffic ways + very hot in July.
Stelvio and surrounding passes a must, enjoy.
Stelvio and surrounding passes a must, enjoy.
thosoneill
Registered user
heading to the bikermeet yet again - leaving balloch loch lomond on 27/06/10 with an overnight stop at clent hills - a nights kip at ashford travelodge on 28/06/10 then board eurotunnel on 29/06/10 - that gives me sufficient time to get to garmisch for the bikermeet - then down to italy - probably como - then on to livorno on 13/07/10 for the ferry to corsica - five days in corsica then back to italy this time to the port of savona - thereafter who knows
ps if you fancy meeting up for a beer in garmisch PM me nearer the timeLooks like our plans are becoming a goer so should manage to Garmisch at some time over the BMW Weekend. My friend from Switzerland may also manage along on his GS. We plan on staying in nearby Austria for a few days before heading down to Stelvio. From there it will be into Switzerland and loads of Passes before settling in the Interlaken area for a few days sightseeing. Then off to my mates near Geneva before heading back up through France.
Still havn't decided what route to take from Calais down to Austria. Don;t want to do too many miles with Skye each day (Last time we did it in a oner
) . Any suggestions of routes, overnight stops (Cheap and chearfull will do fine) would be more than welcome. 
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